Dan Armstrong wrote:

> Piano stores in this state are in business to sell pianos.  They
> aren't even telling their customers that they must be tuned after
> delivery to their residences.  As far as most of these people have
> told me, the stores have given them no information on when to tune
> or why.  Maybe they're afraid a sale will be lost if the customer
> discovers that regular maintenance is required to maintain a quality
> instrument.

I'm a little further north of [Dan's home] Pine City, Minnesota
(35 miles from the border, as the crow flies), and enjoy the oppor-
tunity to work with the Schmitt Music stores; one locally, (Virginia),
and the Duluth store, and occasionally get a call from the home office.
My experience with these good people is that they _do_ inform the
customer, and contact me to do the "warranty" tunings.

I guess I don't think the problem is with the sales people as much
as it is with the customer.  More often than not they (the buyer) have
no clue about tuning and maintenance, and, after giving them all the
details, it is rare to receive the call at the appointed time.  Most
people can't tell when there piano is out of tune, and are not willing
to spend the money for a service they don't believe is necessary.
I hate charging the additional money for pitch raising, but it IS their
fault.

With regard to the low end units being sold, again the problem is with
the buyer.  Armed with only a limited checkbook and a bag of ignorance
seasoned with Wal-Mart mentality, they shop price.  Few can determine
differences between pianos, some will take the piano teacher along
(I hate it when THAT happens), and if they can find it cheaper some-
where else, they go.  The dealer has no choice but to cater to the
available market according to it's demands.

I too dislike Communist and Korean pianos, but it's a wave we gotta
ride.  My Chinese Christmas decorations didn't last the season, my
Chinese dining room chairs fell apart, etc., etc.  But look in the
stores: that's ALL they carry!

I relish in the restorations I do on the older instruments, and have
resigned myself to do the best I can on the PSO's, but that's it.
I didn't design it; I didn't build it; I didn't buy it.

You got what you shopped for, lady...

Roy Ulrich
Pike Piano, Inc.
Virginia, MN